Unit of Cellular and molecular physiology
Lab of Fisiologia Generale
tel. +051-209.42.53 /051-209.41.47
fax +051-209.42.86
Group Leader: Vittorio Tomasi
E-mail : vittorio.tomasi@unibo.it
Research in progress :
- 1) COX2 Gene Silencing We have used small interfering RNA (siRNA) to study the mechanism of over expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene. Inhibiting COX-2 blocks tumorigenesis in vitro (Strillacci et al 2006; Strillacci et al, 2009). Recently we have identified a microRNA specifically silencing COX-2 gene which behaved as a potent inhibitor of metastatisation. 2) Biomarker Discovery in Bowel Inflammatory Diseases (IBD) Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), are chronic inflammatory conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Their diagnosis is based on the presence of clinical manifestations, mucosal lesions, architectural distortion and/or acute inflammatory cells. Biomarker discovery will be performed on ex-vivo colon biopsy specimens, in collaboration with the IBD unit directed by Prof. Massimo Campieri, Policlinico “Sant'Orsola”, Blogna. 3) Caveolae and microgravity adaptation Adaptation to microgravity during spaceflight can cause to astronauts orthostatic intolerance on return to normal gravity. The molecular mechanism underlying orthostatic intolerance are not fully understood, but multiple changes in structure and function of endothelial cells have been observed. In particular microgravity seems to affect the function of caveolae. By using primary human endothelial cells, cultured in modelled microgravity, we are dissecting the molecular mechanism involved in gravisensitivity.
- 2.Estrogen receptor and polychlorobiphenyls (PCB). Our research group has been involved in a project, financed by the Istituto Superiore di Sanitŕ, regarding the role od PCB in modulating the effects of the plasma membrane estrogen receptor alpha (ER-a). Membrane ER-a is a caveolar receptor regulating some of the estrogen effects.
- 3.Physiological role of prion protein. We have studied the physiological role of cellular prion protein (PrPc), a GPI-linked protein able to bind copper ions and to modulate signal transduction. These studies are the continuation of studies started some years ago in our laboratory aimed at establishing the role of caveolar constituents in signal transduction.
- 4.Use of small interfering RNA (siRNA) in cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition (COX-2). Research on siRNA represents an extension of earlier work on antisense oligonucleotides. siRNA are synthetic molecules which are extremely powerful in gene silencing due to their stability and prolonged action. COX-2 is localised in caveolae, is involved in angiogenesis, and is overexpressed in tumours, mostly in colorectal cancer.
Funding :
- ASI-DCMC 2005-2009 (Italian Space Agency)
- ASI-DCMC 2005-2009 (Italian Space Agency)
- FIRB 2005-2009
Patents :
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Selected Publications :
- Enzo Spisni, Maria Chiara Valerii, Marcella Manerba, Antonio Strillacci, Elisabetta Polazzi, Toni Mattia, Cristiana Griffoni, and Vittorio Tomasi 2009 Effect of copper on extracellular levels of key proinflammatory molecules in hypothalamic GN11and primary neurons. Neurotoxicology in press
- MiR-101 downregulation is involved in cyclooxygenase-2 overexpression in human colon cancer cells. 2009 MiR-101 downregulation is involved in cyclooxygenase-2 overexpression in human colon cancer cells. Exp Cell Res 315(8):1439-47
- C. Griffoni, E. Spisni, A. Strillacci, M. Toni, M. M. Bachschmid, V. Tomasi 2007 Selective inhibition of prostacyclin synthase activity by rofecoxib. J. Cell. Mol. Med. 11: 327-338 ( IF=6,555)
- Griffoni C, Spisni E, Strillacci A, Toni M, Bachschmid MM, Tomasi V. 2007 Selective inhibition of prostacyclin synthase activity by rofecoxib. J Cell Mol Med. 11(2):327-38
- Spisni E, Toni M, Strillacci A, Galleri G, Santi S, Griffoni C, Tomasi V. 2006 Caveolae and caveolae constituents in mechanosensing: effect of modeled microgravity on cultured human endothelial cells. Cell Biochem Biophys. 46: 155-164.
- Strillacci A, Griffoni C, Spisni E, Manara MC, Tomasi V. 2006 RNA interference as a key to knockdown overexpressed cyclooxygenase-2 gene in tumour cells. Br. J. Cancer 94: 1300-1310.
- Toni M, Spisni E, Griffoni C, Santi S, Riccio M, Lenaz P, Tomasi V. 2006 Cellular prion protein and caveolin-1 interaction in a neuronal cell line precedes fyn/erk 1/2 signal transduction. J Biomed Biotechnol. 69469.
- Spisni E, Toni M, Strillacci A, Galleri G, Santi S, Griffoni C, Tomasi V. 2006 Caveolae and caveolae constituents in mechanosensing: effect of modeled microgravity on cultured human endothelial cells. Cell Biochem Biophys. 46(2):155-64
- Strillacci A, Griffoni C, Spisni E, Manara MC, Tomasi V 2006 RNA interference as a key to knockdown overexpressed cyclooxygenase-2 gene in tumour cells. Br J Cancer. 94(9):1300-10.
- M. Toni, M. L. Massimino, C. Griffoni, B. Salvato, V. Tomasi and E. Spisni 2005 Extracellular copper ions regulates cellular prion protein (PrPC) expression and metabolism in neuronal cells. FEBS Letters 579, 741–744.(IF=3.843, biochem & mol biol)
- Spisni E, Tomasi V, Cestaro A, Tosatto SC. 2005 Structural insights into the function of human caveolin 1. Biochemical Biophysical Research Communications 338: 1383-1390.
- Toni M, Massimino ML, Griffoni C, Salvato B, Tomasi V, Spisni E. 2005 Extracellular copper ions regulate cellular prion protein (PrPC) expression and metabolism in neuronal cells. FEBS Lett. 579: 741-744
Postgraduate training :
- PhD Program in Cellular, Molecular and Industrial Biology (Project n. 1: Physiology and Cellular Biology)
Collaborations :
- : Dr. Spartaco Santi, Institute of Organ Transplant and Immunocytology (ITOI), Bologna Unit - CNR c/o I.O.R, Italy
- : Dr. Maria Lino Massimino, Institute of Neuroscience, CNR, Padova, Italy
-Inflammatory Bowel Diseases : Prof. Massimo Campieri, IBD Unit, S.Orsola Hospital, Bologna.
Links :
Institute of Organ Transplant and Immunocytology
http://www.cnr.it/istituti/DatiGenerali.html?cds=105
Institute of Neuroscience CNR
http://www.in.pi.cnr.it/ins.htm
Agenzia Spaziale Italiana
http://www.asi.it
Novosibirsk State University
http://www.nsu.ru/english
Postgraduate training
http://www.dipartimentobiologia.it/doctoraltraining/tomasi.asp
Research group :
Vittorio Tomasi (Full professor)
Enzo Spisni (Research Associate)
Cristiana Griffoni (Postdoc)
Antonio Strillacci (Post-doc)
